Much Better Adventures

Adventures / Summit Fever

Climb Mount Musala (2925m)

Climb the highest peak in Bulgaria and explore the seven Rila lakes, for some of the most iconic views in the country

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Trip Ref #9293

Adventures / Summit Fever

Climb Mount Musala (2925m)

Climb the highest peak in Bulgaria and explore the seven Rila lakes, for some of the most iconic views in the country

DURATION
2 nights
LOCATION
Bulgaria
ANNUAL LEAVE
1 day off work
GROUP SIZE
Up to 14 people
MEETING POINT
Sofia Airport
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel
DIFFICULTY
Moderate

A 25km mountain hike is no easy feat, so you'll need to be in good physical condition, however, no climbing experience is needed.

Trek to the summit of Mt. Musala (2925m)- the highest point on the Balkan Peninsula

Explore the range’s most famous location – the Rila lakes, seven glacial lakes situated between 2100m and 2500m above sea level

Ride cable cars and bed down in the remote mountain village of Govedartsi

Included

Guides

Experienced, English speaking guides

Accommodation

2 nights in a village hotel

Meals

2 breakfasts and 2 dinners

Transfers

To and from the airport and everything in-between

Not Included

Flights to and from the meeting point

Travel insurance

Personal expenses

Some meals as described

The Area

Logistics

Starts

Sofia Airport

19:00

Ends

Sofia Airport

17:00

Transfers

Your adventure begins at Sofia Airport (SOF) with your airport transfer at 19:00. Please schedule your flight to arrive more than 30 minutes before this time.

If you have the option to arrive earlier, you can get a 15 minute taxi into Sofia city centre spend time on your own, exploring the famous sites downtown. In this case, your host will arrange to pick you up in the centre of Sofia at 19:00 and transfer you to the first overnight accommodation. Just let your host know when booking.

At the end of your adventure you will be dropped back at Sofia Airport (SOF) at 17:00. You are free to book any flight that departs after 19:00.

Travel options

There are regular flights to Sofia from airports across the UK and Europe.

What about all the carbon?

We mitigate 4x the carbon generated by all our customer flights annually through our partnership with Cool Earth.

Day 1

Hotel · Single bed

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 2

Hotel · Single bed

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 3

Departure day

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

What is the food like?

Bulgarian food has a strong Mediterranean influence. Popular dishes include shopska (like a Greek salad), moussaka, pastries, stuffed vine leaves, sausages, cured meats and hearty stews. Common ingredients are yogurt, cheese, legumes and vegetables.

For breakfast, expect cold meats, cheeses, eggs, bread and butter with jams, and fruit. Dinner is usually a starter of fresh salad or soup, followed by meat (chicken or pork) with vegetables and bread. If you have any special requests, let your host know and they will try to accommodate them.

What is the accommodation like?

Govedartsi

You’ll stay at the family run Krusharska House in the village of Govedartsi. Rooms are comfortable and offer en-suite facilities and free WiFi. There's also a restaurant on site.

Solo travellers automatically stay in their own single room, however, If you're travelling as a couple or with other people and would like to share a twin/double room please let us know when booking especially if you do not book at the same time.

Day 1

Govedartsi

Meet your guide in Sofia and head to the little village of Govedartsi where you can relax and get to know your team before a big day tomorrow.

Day 2

Summit Mt Musala (2925m)

Hiking

6-8hrs · 25km · 750m up · 1600m down

Drive to Borovets Resort, the starting point for your summit attempt on the magnificent Mt. Musala (2925m). Ride the cable car to the top of Yastrebets (2396m), take in the panoramic views, negotiate glacier lakes and pass mountain shelters surrounded by outcrops, peaks, and deep valleys. This is the highest mountain in the Balkans and when you reach the top, the views are worthy of its title; you’ll be rewarded with all the major mountain ranges in Bulgaria, including the rest of the magnificent Rila. After a cup of herbal tea and the chance to enjoy your achievement, make the easier descent down for some much-needed chill time back at the hotel.

Day 3

The seven Rila lakes

Hiking

4-5hs · 12km · 520m up · 1600m down

Take the cable car to the start of the Rila Lakes Cirque and then explore them one by one, starting with the Salzata - the highest at 2500m. Don’t make the mistake of thinking a lake is just a lake, as each of the seven has its own unique features - from the steep shores of the Babreka (2282m) to the recognisable shape of the Trilistnika (2216m) and the shallow bed of the Ribnoto Ezero (2184m). Enjoy an amazing birds’ eye view over the beauty you’re about to explore and then complete the circuit, ending at Dolnoto Ezero (2100m). Head back to Sofia and then home with some photos that will blow your friends away.

Please Note

All our adventures take place in wild places. Things can go wrong in wild places. Your perfectly planned itinerary may change a bit (or a lot) if the weather turns, someone gets hurt, or a volcano erupts. Usually though, changes make it all the better.

15% Off Outdoor Gear

In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 15% discount on us to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock, Runner's Need, and Cycle Surgery.

What do I need to bring?

Bags

  • Main luggage bag/backpack
  • Daypack for hiking
  • Waterproof liner for backpack

Clothes

  • Hiking boots (worn-in)
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Waterproof trousers
  • Breathable wicking layers
  • Fleece jacket or similar
  • Buff or neckscarf
  • Lightweight gloves
  • Lightweight trousers/shorts / skirts
  • T-shirts, underwear & socks
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunhat
  • Something to sleep in

Other

  • Universal travel adapter
  • Spare camera batteries
  • Passports (and visas)
  • Travel Insurance documents
  • Earplugs
  • Suncream
  • Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
  • Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
  • Alcohol hand-gel
  • Reusable water bottle x1 ltr (2 of these if you have room)
  • Energy bars and snacks

A 25km hike is no easy feat, so you need to be in good physical condition, however, while the path can be steep and rocky, no climbing experience is required.

Sure can! Over 50% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

In summer (June-August) temperatures are normally between 25-30˚C and occasionally exceed 35˚C. At night it cools down to 15-20˚C. At the higher altitudes, expect temperatures of between 5˚C and 20˚C during the day. Rain is not common in summer, but does occur, especially in the late afternoons, along with the odd thunderstorm.

You'll need to bring all your luggage with you, however on each day of hiking your main luggage can be left in the accommodation, or left with the transfer vehicle and driver depending on the day of the trip. You will only need to have a daypack for each day of hiking.

We recommend checking out the country specific information here and also talking to a travel nurse.

We’ve teamed up with the guys at World Nomads to offer insurance designed for adventurous travellers across 140 countries that includes overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities. To get yours sorted, click here.

We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book the trip, just to cover you for any last minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!

For current advice about travelling in Bulgaria, have a read of the UK Foreign Office pages here.

All of our group adventures are especially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded.

"I cannot recommend this highly enough! The people on the trip were amazing. Easily the best trip I've ever been on!" Charlotte, 2019, Trustpilot.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

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Transferrable Deposits

Cancel up to 31 days before departure and we'll transfer your deposit into credit for a future booking.

Free Date Changes

Free date changes up to 31 days before departure.

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